Guiding Principles
In accordance with the College mission statement, “…We prepare our students for, and help them attain, productive and rewarding careers…”
The Gorter Family Career Advancement Center’s commitment:
- We empower students to own their futures, because we care.
- We care about how students make meaning of their Lake Forest experience.
- We care about students gaining connections and experiences in their chosen fields to make them competitive for the best graduate schools and employers that match their goals.
- We care about student and alumni success.
- We engage students, faculty, staff, parents, alumni, and community members in our quest.
Our Team
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Jackie Slaats (she/her/hers) |
Jackie Slaats is the Vice President for Career Advancement and Community Engagement at Lake Forest College, where she leads efforts to implement key priorities from the College’s Our Forester Future strategic framework. Her role emphasizes fostering connections with alumni, employers, and community partners to enhance career readiness and advance institutional goals. Jackie has nearly 40 years of experience at Lake Forest College, serving in a variety of leadership roles that include Vice President for Career Advancement and Athletics, Director of Athletics, and Senior Advisor to the President. As Vice President, she provided strategic oversight of both Forester Athletics and the Gorter Family Career Advancement Center, which have thrived under her guidance. Notable achievements include earning top-25 rankings from The Princeton Review for internships, completing major athletic facility renovations, and hiring key leaders who have continued the College’s tradition of excellence. Throughout her career, Jackie has been deeply involved in strategic initiatives that have elevated the College’s reputation and student experience. These include launching the Forester Game Plan, a career program for student-athletes, and leading the addition of 11 varsity sports. Her dedication to innovation and collaboration has been recognized through induction into multiple halls of fame and the renaming of the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association women’s postseason tournament trophy as the Slaats Cup. Jackie earned her bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University, where she played basketball, and her master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Her extensive experience and vision continue to shape the future of Lake Forest College. |
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Marie Josephitis (she/her/hers) |
Marie Josephitis is the Executive Director for the Gorter Family Career Advancement Center and leads strategic planning and execution of the Lake Forest College four-year Career Pathways program in alignment with the College’s institutional planning priorities and mission to “prepare our students for, and help them attain, productive and rewarding careers.” Marie has more than 8 years of professional experience in higher education in roles with a focus on career development and student success. She joined the Gorter Family Career Advancement Center in September of 2018, and provided strong leadership serving as the Pathway Leader for Business, Finance and Data Science Pathway. Throughout her career, Marie has built strong employer relationships, collaborated closely with alumni and industry partners, and supported students as they discovered their interests, built confidence, and pursued meaningful career opportunities. Before coming to Lake Forest College, Marie held human resources leadership positions in a wide range of industries including financial services, insurance, marketing, and healthcare. Previously, she was an active volunteer with the Lake Forest College in roles as a career advisor and liaison to employers to create career opportunities for students. |
Business, Finance, and Data Science Pathway
Business, Computer Science, Data Science, Economics, Finance, Mathematics, and other students interested in the Business and Finance Pathway
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Albert Greene |
Albert Greene is the Business, Finance, and Data Science Career Pathway Leader. He has a passion for coaching students and looks forward to helping them find rewarding and productive careers. Prior to coming to Lake Forest, Albert worked as an admissions representatice at American Intercontinental University and then transitioned into corporate America where he held payroll/garnishment and HR roles for a wide range of companies, including Aon. Most recently, he worked at Reynolds Consumer Products, where he was in charge of the salaried payroll. In addition to these roles, Albert has coached football at the College since 2014 and track since 2018. Albert graduated with a bachelor of arts in Communication from Monmouth College. |
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Sangjun Hornewer ’20
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Sangjun Hornewer ’20 is the Internship Specialist for Business, Finance, and Economics. In her role, she supports students in the BFDS pathway to execute their internship search plan. Sangjun is a communications professional with experience in marketing, writing, and editing. Her work has taken her to large for-profit companies like Uline, smaller nonprofits, and remote positions that support thought leaders in business. She brings a unique skill set that blends intentional communication strategies, self-development, and storytelling. Her approach to career advising is rooted in empathy and professionalism, and she is excited at the opportunity to help students become more confident in their skills and personal narrative. A proud alumna of the College, Sangjun graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and double minor in Journalism and Spanish. On campus, she was a member of the women’s soccer team, Writing Center tutor, Editor-in-Chief of The Stentor, and Gummere Fellow. She also had two internships when she was In the Loop during her junior year. In 2023, she attended graduate school at Northwestern University and earned a Master of Science in Communication with a concentration in Strategic Communication. Outside of work, Sangjun loves to travel, play soccer, run, read, and spend time with her family. She’s even been called up to the Thailand Senior Women’s National Team training camp and won a national championship with the Chicago Mustangs professional indoor soccer team! |
Creative Arts and Communication Pathway
Art, Art History, Cinema Studies, Classical Studies, Communication, Digital Media Design, English, Museum Studies, Music, Theater and other students interested in the Creative Arts and Communication Pathway.
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Danielle Kelly (she/they) Creative Arts and Communication Career Pathway Leader |
Danielle Kelly is the Creative Arts and Communication Career Pathway Leader. Her work in the non-profit, public, and private sectors encompasses executive, administrative, curatorial, and educational experience as well as arts & cultural programming, content development, media relations, and team development. Danielle most recently served as Executive Director for Surface Design Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to contemporary fiber arts by supporting exhibitions, biennial conferences, and the quarterly publication, Surface Design Journal. Previous executive experience includes serving as Executive Director for the Las Vegas Neon Museum, where Danielle led the development of the Museum’s operational, programmatic, and educational structure. Danielle was also the curator and exhibition designer for the Museum’s Neon Boneyard exhibition, and collaborated on numerous historic preservation projects in the City of Las Vegas. Danielle‘s project-based visual art practice ranges from installation to performance and has been featured in solo and group exhibitions in Los Angeles, Seattle, Las Vegas, San Francisco, and Portland, OR. Danielle’s writing experience encompasses catalog essays, art criticism, and arts & cultural reporting. |
Law and Public Service Pathway
African American Studies, American Studies, Asian Studies, Education, Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies, History, International Relations, Latin American and Latinx Studies, Modern Languages, Philosophy, Politics, Religion, Sociology and Anthropology, Urban Studies, and other students interested in the Law and Public Service Pathway.
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Deja McClellan '20 (she/her/hers) |
Deja McClellan ’20 is the Law and Public Service Career Pathway Leader, providing strategic leadership to advance students’ career preparation and success. She also leads early career engagement efforts for the office and leads the Build Your Own Pathway. An alumna of the College, Deja graduated from Lake Forest with a bachelor of arts in African American Studies and a concentration in Communication. During her time at the College, she was an active community member, participating in various committees and organizations, and serving as President of the United Black Association. Deja was honored with several awards, including the first Dr. Judith E.B. Harmon Endowed Scholar, the Student Leader of the Year Award, and the Edward H. Oppenheimer Memorial Prize. Prior to joining Lake Forest, she served as Development Coordinator at Mikva Challenge, a non-profit in the Chicagoland area focused on youth development and civic engagement. Deja’s journey into career development is driven by her lifelong passion for education. She leverages her extensive background in educational training, non-profits, and career services to support students in the Law and Public Service Pathway, helping them achieve their career readiness goals. |
Science and Health Care Pathway
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Studies, Neuroscience, Physics, and Psychology and other students interested in the Science and Health Care Pathway.
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Hilary De Vries (she/her/hers) Science and Health Care
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Hilary De Vries is the Science and Health Care Pathway Leader. She believes in the care of the whole person, the formative nature of the student experience, and the power of experiential learning to achieve a purposeful profession. Hilary has led a dedicated career specializing in student development and wellness in higher education, and has worked under the umbrellas of Academics, Student Affairs, and Athletics and Recreation. She teaches as an adjunct professor for Loyola University Chicago’s Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health, leading exercise science courses, some with service-learning requirements, for undergraduate students. Prior to her time at Lake Forest College, Hilary served as Northwestern University’s Assistant Director of Fitness and Wellness, Loyola University Chicago’s Fitness Programs Coordinator, and Boston College’s Assistant Director of Fitness and Wellness. Hilary graduated from Boston College with a master of arts in Higher Education, from Southern Connecticut State University with a master of science in Exercise Science, and from Loyola University Chicago with a bachelor of arts in Journalism. She is also an American College of Sports Medicine Certified Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-EP). |
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Khadija Manzoor '19, LCPC, CRC (she/her/hers) |
Khadija Manzoor is the Internship and Health Care Specialist for the Science and Health Care Pathway. Khadija, an alumna of the college, graduated in 2019 with a double major in Psychology and International Relations. Outside of classes, Khadija was a part of multiple organizations, such as the President of South Asian Student Association (SASA) and Project Nur. Khadija utilized these organizations as a way to give back to communities, such as fundraising for Syrian refugees and education for students in the poverty areas of Pakistan. Khadija went on to receive her Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in Rehabilitation Counseling. Khadija is also a certified substance use counselor. Khadija is currently a Licensed Professional Counselor and practices mental health and career counseling with different populations. Khadija is excited to to be back at Lake Forest College as a career professional, and working specifically with the student population on academic and career goals for the future. In her down time, Khadija is writing her dissertation for her PhD program, learning new recipes, knitting, and traveling. |
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STEM Career Specialist
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Julia Mendes, PhD is the STEM Career Specialist. She has extensive experience in Higher Education, encompassing advising, teaching, and research. She is also an adjunct professor at Northern Illinois University in the Department of Counseling and Higher Education. Prior to coming to LFC, Julia was a research associate at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine. She was involved in career-tracking studies for STEM PhD students, examining the transition from academia to industry, as well as supporting work on grant-writing workshops and academic and career coaching. She also taught science classes to K-12 students. Julia obtained her PhD in Higher Education from Loyola University Chicago, where she received the Transformative Research Award for her work with undocumented students and their communities. She also pursued her Master’s in Sociology from Loyola, where her work with undocumented youth addressed the complexities of trauma, survival, and resiliency. For her undergraduate studies, Julia received her Bachelor’s in Sociology with a minor in English from Illinois State University and is a proud community college alum from Rock Valley College. Julia is passionate about rescue animals and enjoys reading and gardening. She is excited to share her interests and experiences with the students and faculty at Lake Forest College.
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Build Your Own Pathway
Undecided students, those interested in developing general career skills, and other students interested in the Build Your Own Pathway.
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Deja McClellan '20 (she/her/hers) |
Deja McClellan ’20 is the Build Your Own Career Pathway Leader, providing strategic leadership to advance students’ career preparation and success. She also leads the Law and Public Service Pathway. An alumna of the College, Deja graduated from Lake Forest with a bachelor of arts in African American Studies and a concentration in Communication. During her time at the College, she was an active community member, participating in various committees and organizations, and serving as President of the United Black Association. Deja was honored with several awards, including the first Dr. Judith E.B. Harmon Endowed Scholar, the Student Leader of the Year Award, and the Edward H. Oppenheimer Memorial Prize. Prior to joining Lake Forest, she served as Development Coordinator at Mikva Challenge, a non-profit in the Chicagoland area focused on youth development and civic engagement. Deja’s journey into career development is driven by her lifelong passion for education. She leverages her extensive background in educational training, non-profits, and career services to support students in the Build Your Own Pathway, helping them achieve their career readiness goals. |
Academic Internship Program
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Danielle Kelly (she/they) Creative Arts and Communication Career Pathway Leader |
Danielle Kelly directs the Academic Internship Program, overseeing strategy and policy and working closely with students, faculty, staff, employers, and stakeholders. In addition to her work with internships, Danielle leads the Creative Arts and Communication Career Pathway, supporting students in this pathway. |
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Katie Isler (she/they) |
Katie Isler is the Assistant Director for Internships and Operations Systems with the Gorter Family Career Advancement Center. She manages internship program registration and supports the work of the Internship Specialists and the data mobilization needs for the Career Advancement Center. Katie has over a decade of experience in records management, project coordination, and data analysis, approaching challenges with a systems mindset and increasingly using automation, coding, and other technical tools to streamline processes and develop solutions. Her work intersects institutional knowledge and technical implementation, finding new ways to creatively solve problems while understanding both the data and the people it serves. Katie holds a bachelor of arts degree in Asian Studies from Augustana College.
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Operations
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Brittany Lenz (she/her/hers) |
Brittany Lenz leads the Gorter Family Career Advancement Center’s operations, communications, data, and event management. She draws on her experience in writing, technology, and program administration to create innovative solutions and strategies to support the College’s career planning initiatives. Brittany earned her master of arts in English at The Ohio State University, where she taught first-year composition courses and served on the administrative team of Ohio State’s business writing program. She holds a bachelor of arts degree in history and English from the College of Wooster. |
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Bitty Higgins (she/her/hers) |
Bitty Higgins is the Operations and Office Coordinator for the Gorter Family Career Advancement Center. She is excited to be a part of connecting students to rewarding internships and careers in the fields they are passionate about. Bitty believes that bringing your authentic self and unfettered passion into your internship and job search is the key to finding a uniquely rewarding career. Bitty received a Bachelor’s degree in Music and Theater Arts from Spring Arbor University where she served as the Drama Club President and graduated Suma Cum Laude. Prior to her shift into higher education, Bitty led a non-linear career in the creative arts spanning musical, theatrical, circus, and culinary arts as a pastry chef. Bitty is excited to utilize her creative administrative and organizational skills gleaned from years onstage, backstage, and managing professional kitchens and apply it to connecting students to fulfilling and exciting careers.
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Brooke Bransky (she/her/hers)
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Brooke Bransky is an Executive Assistant supporting the Vice President for Career Advancement and Community Engagement and the Business, Finance, and Data Science Pathway. Brooke graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in communications and media studies. During her academic career at UIC, she worked at the Alumni and Friend’s Outreach Center and specialized in hiring and training student staff as well as supporting the call center’s outreach operations. This position brought to life the value of connecting and working with current students, alumni, and university faculty/friends to foster community and engagement beyond when students are earning their degree.
Brooke is thrilled to be a part of Lake Forest College’s team and to use her experiences to support the career advancement team empowering students to achieve fulfilling and successful careers. In her free time, Brooke is a certified personal trainer, loves to cook and bake, and is training her golden retriever puppy to be an agility champ. |
To learn about the faculty internship supervisors and internship specialists, browse the Internships section of the site.
Contact Information
Gorter Family Career Advancement Center
256 Brown Hall, Middle Campus
847-735-5235
careers@lakeforest.edu
Hours
Academic Year: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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